How do learning styles dictate teaching methods?

As there are different styles of learning there are different kinds of teaching styles to cater to them. The learning styles and the teaching methods that go with them covered in this paper include auditory, visual, tactile and kinesthetic. While these are not the only learning styles out there they are the preference for the vast majority of people in the world.
An auditory learner is defined as someone who learns for talking about a subject. More specifically it means these students will remember what they hear most readily. They prefer oral instructions and are most productive when talking about or listening to someone speak about the topic. They do well when listening to a lecture and going over mistakes they have made in problems with others. Thus, it is very helpful for auditory learners to work with their peers whether it be solving a problem or participating in a project. If they are to do a project auditory learners do best when they are giving an oral report.
Visual learners, as the name suggests, learn best when they can see what they have visual aid. The methods of visual aid however vary greatly. Written instructions are preferred by this type of student, but they do not necessarily have to have written them down. A video depicting someone solving a problem or simply watching a classmate is beneficial for these students, which is why it is helpful for visual learners to solve problems in groups. Unlike the auditory learner however a visual learner would get little to no value out of another student telling them what to do, but would profit from simply watching the other student do it themselves. In addition maps, graphs, charts, and diagrams are all extremely useful tools when working with visual learners.
The next type of learner is the tactile learner. This type of learners does best through sense of touch. They best understand directions that are written down, but unlike the visual learner it is key for the tactile learner to have written it him or her self. When doing a problem tactile learners like to write the problem out sometimes numerous times to show their different steps. And when working with geometry and trigonometry these kinds of learners thrive when they draw it out. If they are going to do a project they would most likely make a diorama, model or poster over anything else. Additionally, following written directions is one of their strong points.
The last kind of learner that is going to be covered in this paper is the kinesthetic learner. This kind of learner learns best by touching or manipulating objects. Computer programs that can be used to generate graphs and shapes are helpful with these kinds of learners. They remember material best when they have a physical motion to go with it. They get the best results when they can involve their whole body in the action.
In conclusion, for the many different learning styles in the education world there are just as many if not more ways to teach to them. Auditory learners can be given a lecture, visual learners can be given notes, tactile learners can take notes, and kinesthetic learners can use full-body motions to help them remember things.



  • As there are different styles of learning there are different kinds of teaching styles to cater to them
    • Auditory
      • These students will recall what they hear/ prefer oral instructions
      • best learn when speaking and listening about the topic
      • learn best when
        • interviewing, debating
        • participating on a panel
        • giving oral reports
        • participating in oral discussions of written material
    • Visual
      • can recall what they see
      • prefer written instructions
      • better if a video is shown to them
      • learn best when
        • computer graphics
        • maps, graphs, charts
        • cartoons
        • posters
        • diagrams
        • graphic organizers
        • text with a lot of pictures
    • Tactile
      • Learn best through sense of touch
      • Best understand directions that they have written down
      • learn best when
        • drawing
        • playing board games
        • making dioramas
        • making models
        • following instructions to make something
    • Kinesthetic
      • learn by touching or manipulating objects
      • They need to involve their whole body in learning
      • They remember material best if they act it out
      • These students learn best by
        • playing games that involve their whole body
        • movement activities
        • making models
        • following instructions to make something
        • setting up experiments

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